Wash type spray booth



Dec- 16, 1941. J. F. ROCHE. JR., Erm. 2,266,335

wAsH TYP SPRAY BOOTH n A Filed March l6, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l 2\ 1074] 9? W I l 1 106 1 "4" @91 4:4 `j9 l f 26 22 A I @L l l I i, l /l/M l E I 16 j@ I l i il 21 ii y 23 l 8" I |i t NVE TORS.

u M n ATTORNEY.

De@ 16, 1941- J. F. ROCHE, JR., E-rAl. 2,266,335 wA'sH TYPE sPR'AY BooTH Fi-led March 6, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m IWW im Dec. 16, 1941. 1,F, ROCHE, JR., ETAL 2,266,335l

wAsH TYPE SPRAY BOOTH Filed Mach '6, 1940 4 sheets-sheet :s

.'lne I Hm. I nl'" Humm f 6 mi 1 Hum '1"' Hmmm Dec- 16 1941- J. F. ROCHE, JR., ETAL `2,?66335 WASH TYPE SPRAY BOOTH Filed March 6, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 flowed down the faces of v preferably 'along the Patented Dec. 1e, 1941 lohn F. Roche,v Jr.,

and George A. Harker, Binks Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Delaware Oak Park, and Harry Erikson v Chicago, Ill., assignors to Chicago, Ill.,

Application March s, 1940, serial No.` 322,472l z claims.` ,(01. :i1-6o) The present invention relates to a Vmethod of gas cleaning and to gas cleaners of the wash type, and, more particularly, to the spray booth type of gas cleaners such as 'those in which pieces of work are spray coated as by paints, enamels, or the like, whereby particles of the material, often termed dust, fumes, etc., are

the work and as are projected beyond the work.'A

Such device comprises a booth having a work chamber as locus, wherein the operation is performed, giving rise to fugitive particles of material in the air moving through '-thef-chamben A cleaning chamber communicates with-the work chamber, as by way of an opening or passage below the lower end o f a wall bers. A receptacle, as a tank, is located spacedly below the lower end of such wall and beneath the cleaning chamber lso as to receive th'e liquid the parting wall and thereof,4 and also the pouring 'off the lower end I created as by being reflected or deflected from l between the chamliquid washing down in the cleaning chamber.

The air in the work chamber with the fugitive particles in it is made to move or ilow from the work chamber to the cleaning' chamber through the opening at the lower end oi the 'parting wall and over the receptacle, such flow being into and through the cleaning chamber,-

the latter being connected as at its upper end' The liquid with with suitable exhaust means. the particles washed out of the 'air flows or pours into the-receptacle where the particles gather to be later removed'.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleaning means which comprehends novel means in the cleaning chamber where multiple sheets of washingliquid. are created or formed, so as to span the space oi the cleaning chamber whereby the particle-laden air will pass through the several liquid sheets for multiple washing. In the illustrative iform of the invention, the sheets are so created and caused to move as to oi' the lower end portion the receptacle and the air is washed as it passes through the resultant liquid sheet before ning sheets in the' cleaning chamber.

The lnovel cleaning device also comprehends as partv thereof a novel washer-eliminator means, comprising va series of units extending cleaning chamber, Aeach unit having-a series ofupright tortuous passages throughwhich the air upwardly passes, together with means below the units for upwardly andkdivergently projecting liquid in th'e form of vsheets and streams into the lower portions 'of the tortuous passages, so as to copiously flood the same and v to 'thoroughly and effectivelywash the air of all residual' particles which it may carry as -it moves upwardly into and through the units. 'I'he liquid is projected only inthe lower portions of the units and falls into the cleaning chamber belowv the units where it will be received in parli by the liquid sheets therein and in part now down the walls of the cleaning chamber to eventually-reach the receptacle. The 'upper portions of the units are for eliminating the liquid moisture from the air so that the latter will be practically' dry when it reaches the exhaust means Also4 the invention comprehends, as part therevof, liquid'sheetforming means forcausingthe f downward flow of a 20 1S ladjacent tothe work sheet of liquid` over the front face of the parting wall,y that is, the face which chamber where some of the particles are directed toward such wall and are caught by the liquid sheet to be carried down into the receptacle. 'I'hisliquidv sheet or curtain,

'often so-called, ows off of the lower end of the wall or apron, often so-called, to unite with the resultantliquid sheet or curtain'owing oi! of the lower end of the apron from the rea-r side thereof.

The front sheet or curtain is formed by a novel means at the upper end of the apron.

`It comprises one or more inclined plates or the like with means at their lower edges, as dams, for the flow of over the `plates to the dams where the liquid From an upper plate and dam, the lsheet pours down to a lower plate and dam and thence. .in the formof a resultant-sheet', to aneupper portion of the apron to pouror ow down in theA -form of a continuous and vsmooth sheet over .ilnally form a resultant sh'eet which pours oil of the parting wall into across the passage from the work chamber to the cleaning chamber, whereby it is washed by the spansmooth and continuous.

vdrawn through the chambers, it passes' through the front' face of the apron 'and to the lower end of th'e apron. 'Suitable means is provided to supply the liquid to the upper'pl'ate ofthe series of plates of this` device. 'l

Throughout the cleaning means constant distribution of fthe liquid and' the forming of ,liquid sheets, so that they `willfbe As the laden air is `the resultant sheet atthe lower end ofthe apron,

and distribution of the liquid "there is .a

The invention also comprehends novel vwashereliminator units, which are independently and" separately passed through an opening in the rear wall of the cleaning chamber, and which may be slid in or out as on tracks. Preferably they are suspended by the tracks, as by way of hanger brackets secured to the upper parts of the units, and slidable on the tracks. But the tracks may be located below whereby the units may be slid on them.

'Ihe invention further comprehends, in a method of gas cleaning in connection with the performance of an operation giving rise to fugitive particles of material in air moving through the place of operation, as in a spray booth chamber, the novel steps of projecting liquid sheets across the path of flow of the particle-laden air, as in a. cleaning or washing chamber communicating with the spraying chamber to wash out particles in the air, with the step of uniting the liquid sheets'into a resultant liquid sheet which also flows across the path of flow of the particletaken in a plane represented by line 9--8 in Fig.-

, 8 of the drawings;

laden airl to also remove particles from the air, l'

thus producing a multiple washing of the air. Also the producing of a series of liquid sheets, as at the upper end of the wash curtain apron, with a liquid sheet of the series uniting with a succeeding liquid sheet of the series to form another resultant liquid sheet, such as the Water curtain flowing down over the f'ace of the apron exposed to `thev spray booth chamber, so that this resultant liquid sheet unites, as ail the lower end of the apron, with the previously mentioned resultant liquid sheet as that ilowing down the rear side of the lowerv portion of the apron and from its lower end, to produce a third or iinal resultant liquid sheet which also flows, as in the passage between the chambers, across the path i of flow of the particle-laden air for removing particles f rom the air. y

Any liquid may be used, such as water, oil, emulsion or the like. While the term air is used, any gas is comprehended. The liquid may be circulated to economize.

Other objects, advantages, features and the like are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view in elevation thereof Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view in a vertical plane, on an enlarged scale, and taken in a plane represented by line 3,-3 of Fig. l of the drawings; Fig. 4 is a rear view in elevation with parts shown in broken section; l

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transyerse sectional view, in a. vertical plane, ofthe upper part of a washer-eliminator unit, on an enlarged scale,

Fig:

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view in a vertical plane at the rear of the washer-elim `a wash curtain, on an enlarged scale, and taken in a. plane represented by line 8718 in Fig. 1 of the drawings taken in a plane represented by line IU-II' Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view in Fig. 3 of the drawings;

Fig. l1 is a transverse sectional view taken in planes represented by line II-Ii in Fig. 10 'of the drawings, and on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of the washing means on an enlarged scale,

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the embodiment selected to illustrate theinvention is shown as comprising a booth having side or end Walls I andY 2, a rear wall 3, a top or roof 4, and a front part having an opening 5. vThe top t may vor may not have doors 6 as desired.

On the iioor 1 and at the rear of the booth is located 'a receptacle or tank 8 which extends for the full length of the booth between the end walls i and 2. and has its rear portion projecting out rearwardlyof the rear wall 3. 'I'his'rearwardly projecting portion of the receptacle 8 has a top Q provided with an opening normally closed bya door or cover 9&1

Forwardly. spaced from the rear wall 8 is an upright wall or apron I0 which. also extends along the booth between the end walls l and 2, the lower end of the apron I0.having a rearwardly curved part II terminating in spaced relation above the oper. top of the receptacle 8 to provide an opening I2 for the passage of dustladen air from the chamber I3 of the booth to the lower chamber I4 at the rear of the apron III. The space between the'apron I0 .and the rear wall 3. constitutes an air uptake and comprises alower chamber I4, an upper chamber l5, and an intermediate chamber in which is located a series of washer-eliminator units i6 extending between the end walls I .and 2 and later more fully described. The chamber i5 has a top I1 and a rear opening in communication with an exhaust duct I 8 secured to the rear wall 3. Inthe duct I8 is suitably supported an eX- and taken in a plane represented by line 5,-5 of hausi-fan i9 operated by way of a belt 20 and a motor 2| iixed to the side ofvtl'ie duct I8. A suitable control damper 22 may also be=located in the duct I 8, The duct I8 preferably extends outside the building through a wall 23 thereof.

At theupper end of the apron I0 is a liquid curtain creating means 24, shown in detail in Fig. 8. vThis device is a box-like structure extending between the end walls I and 2, and has a top 25, a rear wall 26, a bottom 21,. and a front wall 28. The front edge of the bottom 21 is united tov the upper edge ofthe apron I0 to form a continuation thereof. The lower portion of the front wall 28 has a. slanted part 29, and a lower ilange-likepart 30 spacedly forward of the upper end portion of the apron I0 to provide a wide slot or opening 3| through `which the liquid curtain 32 may freely ilowover the front face of the apron I 0 in the form of a continuous, smooth sheet, as shown in Fig. 3. The device 24 is secured by way of suitable angle and channel bars 33 and 3l to the tops 4 and I1, as shown.

Longitudinally within the device 24 are inl clined distributing plates 85 and 3B, of which Aopening 62 provided in the rear wallA 3.

'device 24 is a liquid supply pipe 38 having a cap 40 (Fig. 9) at one end, and extending at its other end through the wall I, where it is connected to a supply pipe 4I. Pipe 39 has in its upper part a. series of apertures 42 for upwardly and obliquely projecting streams of liquid toward and against the upper ,corner portions of the structure 24 (as viewed in Fig. 8), where the liquid is caused to spread and flow down in sheets over the inner faces of the lwalls 26 and 28, and thence over the inclined plates 35 and 36, As the liquid in the angular spaces within the dams 31 and 38 ilows over the dams, the liquid is in the form of continuous, smooth sheets, the liquid sheet from dam 31 flowing down upon the plate 36, thence with the liquid sheet already flowing .down the plate 36 to the dam 38, and thence over the dam I 38 in a continuous smooth resultant sheet down to the bottom 21 where the liquid sheet iiows forwardly on the bottom 21 to the opening 3|, and then down in the form of a continuous, smooth sheet 32 over the front face of the apron I0 and the curved apron portion Il to fall or pour into the receptacle 8v as shown by the dotted line 43. The gas or airo be cleaned fiowsin a direction,

vgenerally indicated by the arrowV 44, from the booth chamber I3 to and through the opening I2, and through the liquid curtain part 43 to be washed by the liquid thereof. As the gas or air is forced through this curtain portion 43, it sort of swings back the liquid curtain part 43 into substantially the position shownv by the dotted line 43.

Within the uptake I4-I5 is provided further gas or air washing means comprising a series of washer-eliminator units I6 and liquid sheet creating and distributing means for effecting multiple washing or cleaning of the air or gas iiowing upwardly in the uptake.

Eachunit I8 comprises a series of horizontally spaced, uprlghtly disposed, corrugated or zig-zag shaped plates 45 to provide among them upl wardly extending tortuou's passages for the upward travel of the air to the chamber I5. These plates 45 are held in an open-work type of frame comprising forward and rear frame parts, of which the former has upper and lower crus.. barsA 46 and 41 and posts 48 and 48, and of which the latter has upper and lower cross bars 50 and 5I and posts 52 and 53. The forward and rear frame parts are connected by connecting bars 54 and 55. All frame parts are preferably spotwelded together to provide a rigid structure. The cross bars 46, 41, 5,0 and 5I are channel shaped with their inner-anges 56 and 51 provided with vertical slots 58 and 59, in which t the upper and lower edge or flange portions 68 and 6I of the plates 45, respectively. The units are so ldesigned that when located adjacent each other, as shown in Fig'. 6, the end plateof the series of plates 45 of a-unit will be spaced from the end plate of the series of plates 45 of an adjacent unit, the same as the plates 45 are spaced from each other in the unit. To illustrate (see Fig. 6) the end plate -45a at the left of the central unit, as shown, is spaced from the end plate 45b of the adjacent left unit the same as the plates arespaced from each other in the units.

The units I6 are slid into place through an his opening is normally closed by a plate 63. t is defined by a framecomprlsing an upper channel shaped frame part 64 xed to the rear wall 3, a

lower channel shaped frame part 65 integral with the rear wall 3, and upright end frame parts 86 and 81. The closure plate 63'has a perimetral flange 68 Within which is a gasket 63 for sealing against the frame parts '64, 66, 66 and 61 when the plate 63 is in closed position. l

To hold the plate 63 in closed position, suitable bolts 18 and 1| are connected tothe upper and lower frame parts 64 and 65 and extend through the slotted ends of vertical locking bars 12 at the back of the plate 63, the bars being held in place by wing nuts 13 screwed onto the threaded ends of the bolts I0 and 1I as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Access is had through the opening 62 by loosening the wing nuts 13 and removing the bars 12 and theA plate 63. To the inside face of the plate 63 are secured stopper' bars 14 and 15 which bear, respectively, against the cross bars- 50 and 5I of the units I6 and prevent upward escape of air between the rear ends ,of the units and the plate 63. The bar 15 is slanted to cause any liquid passing into the space between the unit I6 and the plate 83 to flow down into y the spaces among the lower end portions of the plates 45 and thence into the chamber I4 below the units. While some air may pass from the unitsinto the space 62 between the units and the plate 63, it cannot escape by the stopper bar 14 but will be directed back into the spaces between the plates 45.

In the illustrative embodiment, the units I6 are suspended from track bars 16, the forward ends of which bars are supported upon and fixed to an angle bracket bar 11 (see Figs. 3 and 4) fixed to the rear face of the apron I8, and with the rear end portions of the bars 16 supported by way of bolts 18' carried by hanger brackets 'I9 secured to the frame part 64. The track bars 16 are held spaced (see Fig. 6) by spacer rings 88 carried on the bolts 18. To the upper part of each unit frame, as near the ends of the upper cross bars 46 and 50, are secured, as by welding, Z-shaped hanger brackets 8|. The upper legs of these brackets slide along the tops of the .tracks 16 when the unit is installed or removed,the unit be ing slid very much likel .a drawer'. When installed, the forward end of the unit lies flush with r14 and 15 press against the rear end ofthe unit.

For the purpose of locating the unitsclose together, with the end plates 45a and 45' of adjacent units in proper spaced relation whereby the angles 82 of plates 55B will extend into the angular spaces 83 of the plate 45h, the posts 53 and 48 have cut-away portions 84 to allow for the free passage ofthe angle parts 820i the plate 45 when the adjacent units are relatively slid. As for example, while viewing Fig. 6, when the central unitl is slid in or out, the cut-out 84 in post 53 (right hand side) will clear the angles 82 and at the left side the angles 82 will pass through the cut-out 84 of` the post 53 (left hand side). l

Below the units I6 and in the chamber I4 is provided a novel liquid sheet creating and distributing means. It comprises a large capacity 4pipe 85 of manifold type extending longitudinally through the chamber I4 and also through the side walls I and 2, where the pipe is held in place by way of flange plates 86 suitably secured to the pipe and bolted to the walls I and 2.

On the top of the pipe are fixed saddle pieces 81 upon which is supported, and to which is suitably secured, acylindrical deector bar 88. This bar may be solid or tubular, as desired. Also,

along the top of the pipe 85 is connected a series of short, large capacity liquid pouring `tubes 85 for upwardly directing streams of liquid against the lower curved surface ofthe bar 58, so as to cause an upward and divergent projection of the liquid to, against and into the lower portions of the units i6, the liquid so projected being in the form of sheets and streams so that the lowerv portions of the tortuous passages among the plates 45 and the lower portions of the plates 45 will be copiously flooded and flushed, besides, providing for an eicacious washing zone for the air rising in the chamber i 4 and passing to and into the unit i6. Some of the liquid will reach the rear face of the apron i 5 and the front face of the rear wall 3, and be spread and distributed over such faces so as to flow down thereover in the form of continuous and smooth sheets of liquid, as indicated by the dotted lines 90 and 9|. Much of the liquid will rain down from the units into the space of the chamber i4 to be picked up by the liquid sheets created inthis chamber, as later described, or fall into the receptacle 8.

Underneath the pipe 85 are xed hanger pieces 92, to which is suitably secured an elongated deflector bar 93 of V-shape in crosssection. Also along the under side of the pipe 85 is connected a series of short, large capacity liquid pouring tubes 94 for downwardly directing streams of liquid against the bar 93 so as to cause the liquid to spread along and across the surfaces of the bar 93 in different directions, but mainly in sheets toward the apron lli and the rear wall 3, as shown by the dotted lines 95 and 96. These liquid sheets strike the inner faces of 'the apron aaeases I0 and rear wallS, so as to spread into sheets to flow down such faces. The sheet 95'unites with the sheet 90 and iiows down in the form of a continuous, smooth resultant sheet over the inner or rear surface of the apron part H', as shown by the dotted line 91, and flows therefrom into the tank 8, as shown by the dotted line 98. The latter constitutes a part of the liquid sheet 43, both forming together a nal resultant liquid sheet. The liquid sheet 96 unites with sheet 9i and flows down over a vledge or deiiector 95 formed as a plate extending inwardly from the rear wall 3, and this combined or resultant sheet is projected across or spans the space of the chamber i4 inthe form of a sheet, as shown by dotted line |00, to unite with the liquid sheet Slilowing down the rear face of the lower, curved part H of the apron lll. Extending down from the ledge 9S is a wall part 3B, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The air passing through the booth chamber i3 to the uptake |4|5 thus receives a multiple Washing, first, when it passes through the resultant liquid sheet 43-98, then when it passes through the spanning liquid sheet |00, then when it passes through the deflected sheets 95 and 96, and then when it passes through the upwardly diverging deflected sheets and streams projected to and into the lower portions of the units I6. Besides, the raining down of the liquid from the units I6 will also add to the washing or cleaning effect.

The liquid is supplied from the tank 8 by way of a pump |0i driven by a motor |02 and having its intake pipe |03. running from. a screened chamberl |04 where the liquid is filtered before entering the pump. The latter discharges into a pipe 905 connected by way of, a tting |06 connected to an end of the pipe 85, the latter being connected at its other end to a return pipe |0'| running to the tank 8. The liquid is thus circulated and recireulated. Fresh liquid to replace lost liquid may be supplied from an outside source by way of a suitable pipe controlled by a float valve means |08 suitably located in the tank 8. Pipe 4| is connected to the fitting |00 for supplying liquid to the pipe 39 extending into the liquid curtain creating and distributing means 24. The liquid is circulated through the pipe so that it may return by way of the return pipe |01 to prevent the accumulating of any of the particles in the pipe 85 as might plug up some of the pauring tubes 89 and 94.

The unit 6 is of suflicient height to provide for a gas washing -part in the lower portion of the unit and a liquid eliminating part in theupper portion of the unit. Heretofore, ithasv been necessary to provide a separate eliminator, usually spacedly above the washing means. present invention, the unit I5 performs a dual function by washing and eliminating in the same unitary means or element. The upward projecting ofthe liquid into the lower portions ofthe unit is limited to the lower bends of the plates 45 and even though the liquid may bound and rebound in the passages among the plates 45, the liquid will not reach beyond about half way up the unit, thus leaving the upper portion of the unit to eliminateA liquid er moisture from the gas or air passing up after being Washed.A The eliminated liquid will trickle down to the lower portion of the unit andy eventually drop down with the rest of the liquid therein. Y

In operation, the piece of work to be treated or worked upon is located in the booth chamber |3 and the workman stands with his back toward or in the opening 5, where air is being drawn in by the draft created by the suction or exhaust blower I9, and the air passes by the Workman toward the opening 2 in the direction of the arrow 44. In the case of when the workman is coating the piece of work, as spray painting, he directs his spray gun toward the vwork whereby some of the paint will be projectedtoward and to the liquid curtain 32, usually water,'where the latter catches the projected particles and carries them down into the tank 8 where they settle. v

Also clouds of dust or fumes will be produced. They are carried suspended in the air to the opening i2.

As tle dust-laden air is drawn to and up through the uptake |4-|5, it is rst Washed, as it passes through the resultant liquid sheet 43-99. Then it passes through the spanning liquid sheet |00 for further washing. Then it passes up through the deflected liquid sheets and 96 for still further washing, and then it passes up into the liquid sheets and streams projected up to and into the lower portions of the units i6 for a final washing. In the latter case, the liquid is thoroughly distributed in every di' rection and is also caused to be reected and cast about in the lower passage spaces along the plates 45 for a flood washing of the air. As the air then proceeds through the upper portions of the tortuous passages among the plates 45, the moisture carried by the air is extracted or eliminated so that the air is practically dry on reaching the chamber I5 and the exhaust duct I8. The water carries all the particles washed out of the air to the resultant curtain 43--98 pouring into the receptacle 8, where the particles will accumulate.

Having herein described and upon the draw- By the ings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but comprehends other constructions, details, arrangements and relations of parts, features and the like, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention, We claim: 1. In a spray booth type of gas cleaner having a cleaning chamber provided with forward and rear walls and communicating with a work locus at the lower end of the forward wall; the com- Albination of said chamber comprising therein a liquid projecting means including a deilector upon said-,rear wall for projecting a liquid sheet across the transverse expanse of the chamber and against the forward wall to form a liquid sheet to flow down over the surface of said forward wall, the lower part of the forward wall being located and formed to direct said latter ,liquid sheet across the communication between said chamber and locus.

2. In a spray booth type of gas cleaner having a cleaning chamber provided with forward and rear walls and communicating with a work locus at the lower end of the forward wall; ,the combination of said chamber comprising therein a liquid projecting means having a manifold type of projector and a detlector for projecting liquid sheets across the transverse expanse of the chamber and against said walls to form liquid sheets to iiow down over the surfaces of said walls, said .rear wall ,having a deilector for directing the liquid sheet flowing down over said rear wall to and against said forward wall to form a resultant liquid sheet with the liquid sheet flowing down over said. forward wall, the lower part of the forward wall being located and formed to direct said resultant liquid sheet across the communication between said chamber and locus. 

